CAVE held a Plastic Bag Amnesty Day at the Butter Cross in Chippenham – shoppers were asked to swap their plastic bags for re-usable cotton bags. The event was supported by the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

Another Amnesty is being planned for later in 2011 with the aim of further raising awareness about alternatives to plastic bags and reducing the number of new plastic bags issued. We plan to provide recycling bins on the day for people to hand in their old plastic carrier bags for appropriate disposal, and various bags for life will be available.

Cotton Bag design competition

In conjunction with the Gazette and Herald, CAVE held a competition for local school children to design a logo for our cotton bags, purchased through a grant from the North Wilts District Council. The winner was Ann-Marie Cadell from St. Mary’s RC Primary School in Chippenham, who produced the design below.

Fairtrade Town status for Chippenham

CAVE continues to support the campaign to make Chippenham a Fairtrade Town. Our activities have included a Fairtrade Discovery Evening held at St Marys RC Primary School, and a Fairtrade Directory Launch event, held at the Town Hall in Chippenham. A Fairtrade Committee has been formed to plan and schedule future events and progress the campaign.

We would be grateful for your help identifying workplaces in Chippenham that offer Fairtrade tea/coffee/refreshments. Please let us know if your place of work is supporting Fairtrade by getting in touch with Colette.

The Big Climate Connection

Last November groups all over the country met their MP's as part of the Big Climate Connection, organised by the umbrella body Stop Climate Chaos (whose members range from WWF and the RSPB to numerous local environmental groups) to press for more action on climate change and to pass on a letter to Chris Huhne.

CAVE has been taking part in these discussions, the next one of which is due to take place in April 2011.

Local environmental group leaders from Bradford on Avon, Melksham and Chippenham met with Duncan Hames to press for more action on climate change.

Supporting Climate Change events - the Wave

CAVE members join other local Wiltshire groups to demonstrate support for action on climate change, at the WAVE in London.

Supporting Community events

CAVE members help Queens Crescent School Eco-club establish their orchard

Supporting Fairtrade at the 2009 Chippenham River Festival.

Supporting Wiltshire Wildlife Trust's Greener Living Road Show at the Town Hall in Chippenham.

CAVE - information

A voluntary group of people from Chippenham and the surrounding villages who are keen to oil the wheels of environmental change for the future. By working together we can really make a difference.

Who are we?

Local people, all voluntary.

Supported by the district council BUT not run by the council.

People who have an interest in making things happen for the good in our area.

Mixed background, all private individuals.

What we stand for

We want to improve our quality of life and the quality of our local environment by engaging on global and local issues.

We believe in a more sustainable lifestyle, but we recognise it is not always easy to do this.

We want to represent the community and help people change things in the area and protect the environment for future generations.

We want to put more pride into our community.

CAVE and You

Do you need help with an environmental project?

Are you worried about climate change?

Do you want to see people and businesses doing more to help the environment?

Do you want to see better environmental education for our children?

Have you thought of ways to improve the quality of life in our area?

What are we doing?

Focusing on helping schools and local businesses with a programme of initiatives.

Undertaking a range of voluntary projects that will improve our local environment and contribute to sustainable development.

Facilitating other groups in the area, putting people in touch, filling the gaps.